Family of drivers
BUFFALO TWP— The Ellenberger brothers are a lot a like.
All three, Brad, Brian and Brent, raced motocross bikes in their younger years. Then they followed each other into Sprint car racing.
Brent Ellenberger even followed eldest brother Brad into flying airplanes. While Brad served as a pilot for U.S.Airways, Brent was in the Air Force from 1992-95. He still flies twin-engine planes.
The Butler-based family has shared a passion for racing.
"We've always been into racing something or other," said their father, Dale Ellenberger. "I used to race dune buggies in West Sunbury and I ran a four-cylinder at Sportsman's for a while.
"The boys all raced motorcycles. Their knees all got bad and they gave it up."
Brad Ellenberger made the jump from motocross to Sprint car first, racing the latter from 1987 through 2001. He won a few features and ran near the front of the pack through much of his career.
"Money was an issue there,"Dale Ellenberger said. "It was hard getting sponsors."
Brian Ellenberger, 42, began his Sprint racing career in 1996. A regular on the All-Star circuit for the past three years, he's won 13 features in his career and has six top-five finishes at Lernerville Speedway this year, including a pair of seconds.
"Brad was in it and he helped me get started,"Brian said. "I was one of the top amateurs in dirt bikes and wanted to give this a try."
Brent Ellenberger, 37, is in his rookie year driving a Sprint car, but he has years of experience around a dirt track.
"I've been wrenching a car since I was 15 years old," he said. "I've been wanting to get behind the wheel of one of these things for a long time."
Brent raced motocross until he was 32. He's been wanting to race a Sprint car since.
"I got a little too old for motocross," he said. "My body wasn't recovering the way it used to, and that's a sport that beats you up."
Brian Ellenberger drives the white No. 20Ecar. His younger brother drives the white No. 29E — one of Brian's old cars — and they pit alongside each other every Friday night at Lernerville.
Each has his own pit crew, however. Todd Hutchison of Butler has been Brian's crew chief for six years. Mark Angerett of Butler is Brent's crew chief.
"I sold Brent the car over the winter,"Brian said. "It's nice coming here with him every Friday. I try to help him out — I remember how Brad helped me."
Brent Ellenberger is still looking for his first feature win — he's still looking for his first top-10 finish, actually — but he is 14th in Sprint car points at Lernerville.
"There's no substitute for seat time,"Brent said. "I'm doing this to have fun. If I can get into the top 10 in points, maybe win Rookie of The Year, that'd be ideal."
"He's doing a great job for his first year,"Brian said. "It's tough breaking in. He's only going to get better."
Lernerville SpeedwayTop 15 through July 25SprintsBob Felmlee 389, Kevin Schaeffer 386, Rod George 361, Ed Lynch Jr. 295, Scott Priester 293, Brent Matus 284, Scott Bonnell 267, Charlie Holben 264, Carl Bowser 248, Ralph Spithaler Jr. 230, Dan Shetler 227, Brian Ellenberger 223, Mike Lutz 20-4, Gary Rankin 173, Brent Ellenberger 149Late ModelsAlex Ferree 422, Lynn Geisler 373, Alan Dellinger/Mike Blose 369, Gary Lyle 328, John Flinner 305, Jared Miley 286, Greg Satterlee 281, Sam Stile 274, Chuck Kennedy 263, Dave Murdick 241, Clate Copeman 234, John Mollick 230, Todd Bachman 219, Matt Lux 212, Ken Schaltenbrand 204ModifiedsBrian Swartzlander 386, Kevin Bolland 363, Del Rougeux Jr. 309, Jeremiah Shingledecker 305, Tom Winkle 299, Dave Murdick 281, J.R. McGinley 238, Mark Flick 233, Tim Doran 225, Carl Murdick 218, Phil Evans 218, Jim Weller Jr. 198, Mike Turner 186, Erik Martin 153, Steve Feder 146Street StocksJoe Kelley 392, Wayne Carbo 386, Jason Fosnaught 385, Bob Egley 385, Pat Hanley 347, Greg Beach 344, Bob Lipinski 306, Jim Fosnaught 305, Shawn Thorn 265, Bryan Shaffer 258, Dave Baker 233, Paul Schreckengost 223, Terry Young 212, Stan Riggle 174, Eric Piotrowski and Randy Hanovick 154
